Systems and methods for vented apparel

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclose herein a ventilation vest that allows convection, cooling, and ventilation through natural convection through the open first end, open second end, and plurality of channels. In embodiments, cooler air may enter a ventilation channel through a first open end and/or a lower orifice on one of the plurality of channels, as the cooler air is warmed by the wearer&#39;s body heat, the warmer air may flow vertically out of a second end and/or an upper orifice on the plurality of channels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Provisional Application No. 62/030,012 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, which is fully incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field of the Disclosure

Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for vented and channeled apparel. More particularly, embodiments disclose a vented and channeled vest that is configured to be positioned between a ballistic vest and a wearer, wherein the vented and channeled vest increases comfort and wearability of the ballistic vest.

2. Background

Ballistic vests are an item of personal armor that help absorb the impact of projectiles that would otherwise hit the wearer. Ballistic vests are manufactured with different materials and in different styles. Soft vests re made from layering and weaving laminated fibers, and hard vests are made from metal and/or ceramic plates, which may provide additional protection to the wearer.

Furthermore, conventional ballistic vests are form fitting and are configured to be positioned adjacent to the wear's body. However, due to the materials and placement of conventional ballistic vests, the ballistic vests do not allow ventilation of the wearer's body heat. Accordingly, while the wearer is wearing conventional ballistic vests moisture caused by the wearer's body has no way of being ventilated.

Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods to ventilate the body heat of a wearer of a ballistic vest.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for ventilating the body heat of a wearer of a ballistic vest. Embodiments may include a ventilation vest comprised of molded sheets of a pliable material, such as plastic, which may also be hypoallergenic, and dishwasher safe. The molded sheets may be a less resilient or softer material than a conventional ballistic vest, and may be shaped and/or sized to correspond to the inner lining of the conventional ballistic vest. Accordingly, the molded sheets may be coupled to or within the inner lining of the conventional ballistic vest, and be positioned between the wearer's body and the conventional ballistic vest.

In embodiments, the ventilation vest may include a plurality of channels positioned on the molded sheets. Each of the plurality of channels may include an open first end and an open second end, wherein each of the plurality of channels may extend from the open first end to the open second end of the ventilation vest. The open first end of the vest may be positioned proximate to the wearer's torso, and the open second end of the ventilation vest may be positioned proximate to the wearer's neck line.

In embodiments, each of the plurality of channels may have a plurality of surfaces, including a top surface and two side surfaces. The surfaces may include a plurality of slots, holes, vents, orifices, etc. (referred to hereinafter collectively and individually as “orifices”). The orifices on the channels may be utilized to create cross currents of air travelling from the open first end to the second open end. In embodiments, the orifices positioned on the sidewalls may be aligned with or offset from the orifices positioned on the top surface. Furthermore, the orifices positioned on the sidewalls may be the same size and shape or different sized and/or shaped from the orifices positioned on the top surface. For example, in an embodiment, the orifices positioned on the sidewalls may be smaller than or larger than the orifices positioned on the top surface. Yet, in another embodiment, the orifices positioned on the top surface may be smaller than or larger than the orifices positioned on the sidewalls.

The ventilation vest may permit convection, cooling, and ventilation through natural convection via the open first end, open second end, and plurality of channels. For example, cooler air may enter the ventilation channel through the first open end and/or a lower orifice on one of the plurality of channels, as the cooler air is warmed by the wearer's body heat, the warmer air may flow vertically out of the second open end of a channel. Accordingly, no additional fan, blower, power source is required to cool a wearer's core.

Embodiments described herein may advantageously reduce heat and moisture from a wearer's torso, reduce rashes, and reduce discomfort of a wearer. Additionally, the ventilation vests may only add a minimal amount of weight when used with a conventional ballistic vest.

These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a ventilation vest, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a ventilation vest, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a ventilation vest, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an environmental view of a ventilation vest, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a method of using a ventilation vest, according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of ventilation vest 100. Ventilation vest 100 may be comprised of a pliant and/or pliable material, such as plastic. Ventilation vest 100 may be comprised of a material that may be folded over itself, stretched, etc. to conform to a wearer's shape and movements.

Ventilation vest 100 may originally be produced in sheets, which may be cut, shaped, etc. to conform to an inner lining of a ballistic vest, or any other desired shape. A wearer may be able to trace and cut the sheets to correspond with the size and shape of their ballistic vest. Ventilation vest 100 may then be configured to be inserted between the inner lining of the ballistic vest and ballistic panels within the ballistic vest. Accordingly, ventilation vest 100 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a wearer's body, and also between the ballistic panels and the wearer's body. By utilizing the lining of the ballistic vest to secure ventilation vest 100 in place, no further weight or bulk is added.

Ventilation vest 100 may include a first end 102, second end 104, and plurality of channels 110 with orifices 120. First end 102 of ventilation vest 100 may be configured to be positioned on a lower end of ventilation vest 100, which may be positioned proximate to a wearer's torso. Second end 104 of ventilation vest 100 may be configured to be positioned on an upper end of ventilation vest 100, which may be positioned proximate to a wearer's neckline, shoulders, upper body, etc.

Channels 110 may be vertical channels extending from first end 102 towards second end 104. Although vertical channels are depicted in FIG. 1, channels 110 may be any channels positioned at an upward angle extending from an position along open first end 102 to any position along open second end 104. Channels 110 may be a pipe, tube, etc. that includes a long hollow passageway that is configured to allow air to flow through them. In embodiments, channels 110 may be tubular channels with one curved surface and/or edge, and one flat surface and/or edge. However, channels 110 may be cylindrical channels, rectangular channels, or any other shaped or sized channels.

Channels 110 may be embedded within the surface of ventilation vest 100 and/or project away from the surface of ventilation vest 100, such that a top surface of channel 110 is not in the same plane as a bottom surface of ventilation vest 100.

Channels 110 may include a plurality of orifices 120. The orifices 120 may be positioned at even intervals throughout channels 110, and may be positioned on both the top surface of channels 110 and the sidewalls of channels 110.

Orifices 120 positioned on different channels 110 may be utilized to create cross currents of air, wherein the cross currents may travel from first end 102 to second end 104 through the same or different channels 110.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a top view 200 of ventilation vest 100. As depicted in FIG. 2, ventilation vest 100 may have a plurality of offset channels 210, 220. The offset channels 210 and 220 may be positioned at even intervals throughout ventilation vest 100.

A first channel 210 may include sidewalls 212 and 214, and top surface 216. Sidewalls 212 and 214 may be configured to project away from a first surface 202 of ventilation vest 100, which is configured to be positioned adjacent to a ballistics panel. Sidewalls 212 and 214 may be coupled together via top surface 216. Top surface 216 may be a concave, curved surface, which may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a wearer's body. By top surface 216 being curved, first channel 210 may expand and contract based on the wearer's movements, while also providing comfort to the wearer. However, in other embodiments, top surface 216 may have different shapes.

A second channel 220 may be positioned adjacent to first channel 212, and share a common sidewall 214. Second channel 220 may also include sidewall 222. Second channel 220 may be a depression positioned adjacent to first channel 210. Furthermore, second channel 220 may have a top surface 224 that is offset from top surface 216 of first channel 210.

First channel 210 and second channel 220 may both include orifices 230. More specifically, the sidewalls 212, 214, and 222, and top surface 216 may include orifices 230. The orifices 230 positioned at the top surface 216 of the channels may be spaced at intervals. The orifices 230 positioned at top surface 216 may allow warmer air to enter into first channel 210, which may increase the flow rate of air through channels 210, 220. The orifices 230 positioned on the sidewalls may be spaced at intervals. In embodiments, the orifices 230 positioned on top surface 216 and the sidewalls may be offset. However, in different embodiments, orifices 230 position on top surface 216 may be aligned with the orifices positioned on the sidewalls.

The orifices 230 may be utilized to allow convection, cooling, and ventilation through natural convection through the channels. For example, cooler air may enter the ventilation channel through the first open end and/or an orifice on top surface 216 of first channel 210. As air within first channel 210 is warmed, by the wearer's body heat, convection may cause the air to rise. As the air is rising through channel 210, the air may flow upward and/or into second channel 220 through an orifice positioned on sidewall 214. Responsive to the air flowing upward, the air may leave ventilation vest out of a second open end of second channel 220.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view 300 of ventilation vest 100. FIG. 3 depicts sidewall 212 and top surface 216. Sidewall 212 may include a plurality of orifices 310, and top surface 216 may include a plurality of orifices 310. As depicted in FIG. 3, the orifices 310 positioned on sidewall 212 may be offset from orifices positioned on top surface 216.

As further depicted in FIG. 3, top surface 216 of ventilation vest 100 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a wearer's body, and a bottom surface 330 may be configured to position adjacent to a ballistics panel.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a conventional ballistic vest 400. Ballistic vest 400 may include zipper 410 and straps 420. Zipper 410 may be configured to be opened and closed. Responsive to zipper 410 being opened, ventilation vest 100 may be inserted between a ballistics panel and a mesh backing. Straps 420 may be configured to secure ballistics vest 400 and inserted ventilation vest to a wearer's body.

FIG. 5 depicts a method 500 for ventilating apparel, according to an embodiment. The operations of method 500 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 500 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 500 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

At operation 510, cooler air may enter an open first end of a first channel. The open first end of the channel may be positioned proximate to a wearer's waist.

At operation 520, the air within the first channel may be warmed by the wearer's body heat. Furthermore, the air within the first channel may be warmed to be hotter than the air positioned at a second open end of the first channel.

At operation 530, responsive to the air within the first channel being warmer than air positioned at the second open end of the first channel, the air within the first channel may rise towards the second open end of the first channel.

At operation 540, responsive to the air rising, the air may be removed from the ventilation vest out of the second open end. Furthermore, air within the first channel move from the open first end towards the open second end, the air within the channel may move to an adjacent second channel via an orifice within a sidewall.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ventilation vest comprising: a sheet of pliant material configured to be positioned adjacent to a body of a wearer and a ballistics panel; a first channel positioned on the sheet of pliant material, the first channel including an open first end, and open second end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall include a first set of orifices, and the top surface including a second set of orifices; a second channel positioned adjacent to the first channel, the first channel and the second channel sharing the second sidewall.
 2. The ventilation vest of claim 1, wherein the open first end is configured to be positioned proximate to a waist of the wearer, and the open second end is configured to be positioned proximate to a neckline of the wearer.
 3. The ventilation vest of claim 2, wherein air is configured to enter the first channel through the first open end and exit the first channel through the second open end.
 4. The ventilation vest of claim 2, wherein the air positioned outside of the second open end is cooler than the air positioned within the first channel.
 5. The ventilation vest of claim 4, wherein responsive to air being within the first channel body heat of the wearer increases the temperature of the air within the first channel.
 6. The ventilation vest of claim 2, wherein the air within the first channel is configured to move from the open first end towards the second open end.
 7. The ventilation vest of claim 6, wherein responsive to the air within the first channel rising towards the second open end, the air moves from the first channel to the second channel through the first set of orifices.
 8. The ventilation vest of claim 1, wherein the first set of orifices and the second set of orifices are offset.
 9. A ventilation vest comprising: a first channel positioned on the sheet of pliant material, the first channel including an open first end, and open second end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface, wherein the open first end is configured to be positioned proximate to a waist of the wearer, and the open second end is configured to be positioned proximate to a neckline of the wearer, wherein air is configured to enter the first channel through the first open end and exit the first channel through the second open end; a first set of orifices positioned on the first sidewall and the second sidewall; a second set of orifices positioned on the top surface, wherein the first set of orifices may be positioned at offset intervals from the second set of orifices. 